The current champion began his training for the National Press Softball Tournament

2023-08-26 23:48:21

The current monarchs of National Media, who represent the country’s capital, began their preparation this Thursday for the XXI National Press Softball Tournament, which will take place on September 27 in the province of Holguín.

Those led by Annel Martínez, favorites after winning the last eight championships in a row, began the first of the ten training sessions they have scheduled before leaving for eastern lands at the Juan Ealo stadium in the Ciudad Deportiva.

With a renewed team where more than half of its players are rookies in these appointments, Martínez feels optimistic about revalidating his title, because in addition to the youth of several of his pupils, the team is very dynamic and versatile, according to what he told Cubaperiodistas. .

“The biggest difference with the previous team is that there is much more speed, youth and desire to represent this team. There are players who play in various positions and within the roster there are nine who remain active throughout the year participating in other tournaments”, said the helmsman, who led the hitters in the last championship held five years ago.

“The best we have is unity and discipline. In the sporting aspect it is strength, speed and pitching, which is very well organized with starters and closers, ”he added.

Within the rookie group is Sergio Morlan, who until now should be the pitcher of the opening game against the Camagüey team, which he considers a stimulus after his great performance in the provincial championship, where he swept almost all the individual leaders and he led his Vikings from the Faculty of Communication to the crown.

“It is a privilege to get the first victory, because that is what we aspire to. We are going to play to win because nobody plays to lose, but the result will depend on the cohesion of the team. A pitcher is much safer when everything goes well on the field and when the team pulls, there is no other option than to surrender and give everything, ”he said.

“Attending any national or international tournament is what one aspires to and I believe that being in a championship of this type for the first time is a privilege.

Facing other colleagues from the province will be a new challenge and a strong commitment, because this team has won the gold medal eight times in a row and we want to revalidate the crown.

We want to do this in the most jovial way, sharing among all, doing it well and of course, respecting the contrary”, he added.

This Friday the preparation of the team will continue on the same stage, and on Saturday they will play the first friendly match of the five they have agreed against the Peña Deportiva José Modesto Darcourt.